Lone Star Park Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday 6/24/20
With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 2:35 p.m. EST today, we have nine races at Lone Star Park. Using our projections as a guide, here's a look at some of the best bets.
As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes.
(I will be referencing Equibase's Speed Figure, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions)
Geminator, Race 1 (2:35 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 6/1
Betting on a horse that hasn't placed top-three in any of his five career races is risky, but Geminator could very well prove worth it. The gelding is coming off a speed figure of 67 in a race two weeks ago, which is elite for this field. He had a couple of superb efforts in May prior to that race, showing consistent form. He'll be jockeyed by David Cabrera, who's second in earnings at the track in 2020.
Tough Company (10/1) has had career-best form in his last three races since March. His last couple of outings has him looking like he's ready to break his maiden status. Wicked Rebel (8/1) only has two career races but could be in the mix. Just Ask Joel (7/2) has the jockey and ability to win this race, though the colt's form is trending in the wrong direction.
Jack Van Berg, Race 5 (4:43 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 7/2
There are a number of horses in Race 5 who have had more recent success than Jack Van Berg, but I like the gelding's chances in this one. The four-year-old has only won 1 of his 16 career outings, but he has had 7 races with a figure of 80 or above. His workout at Lone Star two weeks ago was fantastic, and he'll benefit from rider Ramon Vazquez, who's won a higher percentage of his races here (25%) than any of his peers.
Palvera (2/1) has won two of his last four and has placed top-three in each of those. His most recent race saw him achieve a figure of 91, and his outings here since mid-May have been solid. Young Phillip's (10/1) form has declined a bit since the first five races of his career, but this is a colt who can easily win by several lengths, especially with jockey Stewart Elliott in the saddle. Nola Win (10/1) should be in the mix.
Dust Devil, Race 7 (5:45 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 3/1
Dust Devil made his debut in January and has posted speed figures of 80-plus in each of his four races so far. He's coming off his first career win here a month ago, and his form has just been superb. He'll have jockey Stewart Elliott, who leads all riders in purse here in 2020. The colt should certainly be thereabouts.
If Dust Devil doesn't win, it'll likely be Violent Ridge (9/5) that does. The gelding has run for speed figures of 90 or higher in six of his last seven outings, including two of his last four in triple-digits. He'll be jockeyed by the aforementioned Ramon Vazquez. Defender (4/1) will be racing for the third time in a month and will look to keep his form sharp. The colt has had figures of 89 or better in three of his last four. Swiss Minister (10/1) will need to up his form in order to compete in this event.
